Gina Balian, a former television executive from HBO who worked on “Game of Thrones,” recently joined FX to help start a new limited series division. While at FX, she received a nearly 1,200-page novel from an agent – “Shogun” by James Clavell. This best-selling book tells the story of an English sailor who arrives in Japan in the 17th century and becomes a samurai. Initially, Balian remembered seeing the story adapted for TV in 1980, starring a white male lead. However, upon reading the novel, she realized there was a much deeper and wider story to be told, especially from the perspective of the Japanese characters. She found the richness of the characters’ lives reminiscent of “Game of Thrones.”
After 11 years, two different teams of showrunners, and a major relocation, “Shogun” is finally making its way back to the screen. The 10-part series will debut on Hulu on Feb. 27, with new episodes released weekly. The show will also premiere on Disney+ outside of the United States and Latin America. This new adaptation aims to give more focus to the Japanese characters, unlike the original 1980 mini-series where they played subsidiary roles. The Japanese dialogue is now subtitled, and significant plot lines revolve around the Japanese principals.
The new series features actor Hiroyuki Sanada playing Toranaga, a Japanese lord inspired by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Sanada, who is also a producer, was disappointed with the lack of historical accuracy in the original adaptation and worked to ensure authenticity in the new series. The lead actor, Cosmo Jarvis, who plays John Blackthorne, immersed himself in the role by learning about Japanese history and culture as his character did.
While the original novel’s framing made sense in the 1970s, today’s audiences are more open to diverse storytelling. The showrunners of the new “Shogun” series aimed to create a more authentic and culturally sensitive portrayal of Japan. They worked with consultants to ensure that Japanese scenes felt true to the period depicted, including translating scripts into classical Japanese with contemporary diction.
To maintain historical fidelity, the production team meticulously researched details like kimono colors and sword-carrying techniques. They also debated how women should sit in scenes to strike a balance between historical accuracy and audience expectations. Some aspects of historical accuracy were waived to avoid stereotypes or alienating viewers, such as not depicting traditional practices like shaving eyebrows or painting teeth black.
Lead actress Anna Sawai refused to film nude scenes, wanting to avoid perpetuating stereotypes of Asian women. She appreciated that the female characters in “Shogun” were portrayed as complex individuals with their own emotions and motivations. The production team aimed to create a show that was spiritually authentic while also being mindful of cultural sensitivity and representation.
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